News

HONOLULU — Lawmakers on two House committees Tuesday neared the end of five days of public testimony on a gay marriage bill that has already cleared the state Senate.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Chicago-area pastors who are opposed to same-sex marriage say they will stand behind Illinois lawmakers who voted against the measure.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan says he used “the art of persuasion” with less than 10 lawmakers to help pass a bill allowing same-sex marriage.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A historic vote Tuesday in the Illinois House positioned that state to become the largest in the heartland to legalize gay marriage, following months of arduous lobbying efforts by both sides in President Barack Obama’s home state.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The state’s top elected officials are watching lawmakers debate a bill that would add Illinois to 14 other states allowing same-sex marriage.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Suspense is building for a possible vote on legislation that could make Illinois the next state to legalize same-sex marriage.

HONOLULU — The president of Hawaii’s police union testified Monday before a joint hearing in the state legislature on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, and said he would never enforce such a law.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers are convening in Springfield for the final three days of their annual fall session.

AUSTIN, Texas — The issues of same-sex marriage and divorce are set to go before the Texas Supreme Court.

NEW YORK — In Maine, a congressman running for governor came out as gay. In Hawaii, lawmakers prepared for a vote to legalize same-sex marriage. And in the U.S. Senate, seven Republicans joined the Democrats in a landmark vote to ban workplace discrimination against gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.